3 options for a 2009 Mariners Re-Draft

When the Mariners drafted Dustin Ackley in 2009 from the University of North Carolina with the 2nd overall pick, they were coming off of a pitiful 61-win season managed by first-year skipper John Mclaren before his termination (quickly followed) by Jim Riggleman thereafter. This Mariners lineup had two future Hall of Famers in Ichiro and Adrian Beltre, as well as the future NPB single-season HR record holder in Wladamir Balentien.

The pitching was nothing to write home about, save for King Felix of course. When the Mariners cut that $6,000,000 check for Dustin Ackley, there was a new hope in Seattle. A star college outfielder destined for greatness, until he wasn't. Ackley only hit .241 in the bigs and was out of the league by 28 years young. What if the Mariners picked a different amateur star? What if their pick worked out, where could the multi-verse take us? Let's take a look at three potential variations, or in other words, a redraft.

Mariners #3 choice: Zack Wheeler

Since it's highly unlikely the Mariners would have taken anyone actually drafted later than the 1st round in 2009, I'm selecting from the 49 1st round picks including the supplemental picks. Of course, the Giants drafted Zack Wheeler at #6, four picks after Ackley. He ended up with the Mets via the Carlos Beltran deal, where Wheeler put up a 3.77 ERA and a 100 ERA + over five seasons. He only had the five years because he underwent TJ surgery in March 2015, but he managed to start at least 29 games in three separate seasons for the Mets.

Would the Mariners have extended Wheeler and benefitted from the late blooming that the Phillies have enjoyed? Maybe, maybe not. It's difficult to ascertain if Wheeler would have been better or worse in the Mariners organization, so perhaps we should assume neutral development.

I have Wheeler at #3 instead of #2 largely because his elite performance, both in the regular season and postseason, has come after his free agency. His six years of team control under the Mets were solid, but they weren't elite and he wasn't considered a frontline starter. His tour in Philly has been a different story, a 51-28 record with a 2.95 ERA, what could a guy like that have meant for these late Mariner clubs?

Mariners #1 Choice: Mike Trout

Of course, this one pick would take the most insight from this list, but it would also easily have the highest ROI. I was a bit young when Barry was in MVP form in SF, so Mike Trout was the first guy I've seen win 3 MVPs. The Angels grabbed him with the 25th pick, so most teams in the league passed on him for another guy back in 2009. Donovan Tate, Matt Hobgood, and Tony Sanchez were all top 5 picks in the 2009 draft, and none of them made a meaningful contribution at the Major League level. One thing you have to give Jack Zduriencik credit for is taking Ackley over those guys, at least he played 600 games at the highest level.

If you start thinking about what could have been in Seattle with a 3X MVP and the best player of the generation, you might get a headache and take out a small violin. It's been a rough 20-year stretch for Mariners fans, compounded by foolish front offices quotes like the 54% line. I know Trout hasn't been able to play in meaningful playoff games in Anaheim, but I truly do believe that the Mariners would have made multiple Postseasons runs if they had the crystal ball and drafted Trout 23 slots earlier than he went.

Of course, that's not a realistic expectation. They were going to take someone who ended up in the top 10, which is why I think Wheeler was probably the most feasible pick of these three redraft picks mentioned. That said, thinking about drafting Mike Trout is the most fun, and simultaneously the most depressing.